Apple brings big changes to the iPhone with iOS 17.4, but what changes on the iPad? We have listed the functions of iPadOS 17.4 for you.
Big changes at Apple
Apple has announced that big changes are coming to the iPhone. New European legislation requires Apple to open the NFC chip to third parties, which will soon give you more payment options on your iPhone. This feature only comes to your iPhone with iOS 17.4, because Apple does not implement all changes on the iPad with iPadOS 17.4.
Also read: Why opening the NFC chip is bad news for you
This also has to do with European legislation, which obliges Apple to make changes to iOS. That’s exactly why Apple is only making the changes on the iPhone, because that’s the only device that runs on iOS. Apple states that iPadOS is a completely different platform than iOS and is therefore not subject to the new legislation. We tell you which functions are and which are not coming to iPadOS 17.4.
No new App Stores for the iPad
It’s the biggest change for the iPhone sideloading of apps. This means that you can install applications via a route other than Apple’s App Store. This function will not come to the iPad with iPadOS 17.4, but apps will soon be able to be downloaded in a different way on the iPhone. This means you still cannot install apps like WhatsApp on the iPad via a detour.
Other features not coming to the iPad with iPadOS 17.4 include installing other browsers besides Safari. It is already possible to download Chrome, for example, but it works in the background the same as Safari. This is due to the rules that Apple applies in the App Store. A full-fledged version of Google Chrome (and other browsers) will soon be coming to the iPhone, but unfortunately the iPad will have to make do without it.
It is also not possible to set a different default browser on the iPad. From iOS 17.4 onwards, you can determine which browser you use by default on your iPhone. That browser is then automatically opened when you go to a web page from an app. We also have to miss this function in iPadOS 17.4.
These features will come to iPadOS 17.4
We will therefore not see many major changes that come to the iPhone on the iPad. This does not mean that you will not notice the new European legislation on the iPad, but you will receive additional payment methods in the App Store. Starting with iPadOS 17.4, you can pay in different ways when you buy an app or take out a subscription in the App Store.
Also read: Sideloading comes to iPhone (but not without limitations)
In addition, Apple is obliged to open the App Store to external games. As a result, services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming finally come to the iPad. This change is mandatory for all App Stores, including on the iPhone and Apple TV. You do get new features in iPadOS 17.4, but not as many as on the iPhone. Do you want to know what else is changing on the iPhone? Read here which changes will be implemented in iOS 17.4.
Want to know more about downloading apps in iOS 17 (without App Store)? And always want to stay informed of the latest Apple news? Then keep an eye on the website and download our free iPhoned app. You can also register for our newsletter.